Rolling key lock for forging die and press

Abstract

Disclosed is a forging press including an automatic rolling key die lock comprising a forging ram and a forging frame including a die socket with an inner sidewall slot. A die, preferably comprising a split ring die, is received in the die socket and includes a mating slot for mating alignment with the press sidewall slot. A rolling key is received in the sidewall slot and the mating slot comprising an elongated bar including an intermediate undercut portion and a connecting member eccentrically secured to one terminal end of the bar. A lever is operatively engaged at one end to the connecting member for rotation of the rolling key upon selective operation of the lever, and operatively engaged at a second end to the ram for operation of the lever upon selective advancement and retraction of the ram.

Having thus described the invention, we now claim: 
     
       1. A forging press including a die lock comprising: a forging base including a die socket, said socket having an inner sidewall slot;   a ram including a plunger;   a die received in said die socket and including a mating slot disposed for mating alignment with said sidewall slot;   a rolling key received in said sidewall slot and said mating slot comprising an elongated bar including an intermediate undercut portion, and a connecting member eccentrically secured to one terminal end of said bar; and   a lever, one end portion of said lever operatively engaging said connecting member for rotation of said rolling key upon selective operation of said lever, and a second end portion of said lever operatively engaging said ram for operation of said lever upon selective advancement and retraction of said ram.   
     
     
       2. The press as described in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion is at least axially extensive of said elongated bar to the extent of said mating slot of said die. 
     
     
       3. The press as described in claim 2 wherein said undercut portion is disposed radially inward of said die socket at full retraction of said ram from said die socket. 
     
     
       4. The press as described in claim 3 wherein said rolling key is disposed for at least partial filling of said mating slot of said die during advancement of said plunger into said die. 
     
     
       5. The press as described in claim 1 wherein said connecting member is generally cylindrical in form and includes an axially offset threaded bore for receiving means for fastening said lever one end portion to said connecting member. 
     
     
       6. The press as described in claim 1 wherein a first terminal end portion of said lever one end portion is pivotally fastened to an outer sidewall of said die socket. 
     
     
       7. The press as described in claim 6 wherein a second terminal end portion of said lever second portion is connected to means for counterweighing said lever. 
     
     
       8. The press as described in claim 7 wherein said second end portion of said lever includes a radial bore for loosely receiving means for operatively engaging said ram to said lever. 
     
     
       9. The press as described in claim 8 wherein said means for operatively engaging said ram to said lever comprises a selectively adjustable threaded member fastened at one end to said ram and including a second end configured for abutting engagement to said lever during advancement and retraction of said plunger from said die socket. 
     
     
       10. A method of forging comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a billet into a die in a die socket of a forging press;   (b) advancing a plunger of a ram of said forging press into said billet;   (c) rotating a rolling key including an undercut portion in a tangential slot of said die to a first position to lock said die in said die socket during advancement of said plunger;   (d) retracting said plunger from said billet;   (e) rotating said rolling key to a second position to dispose said undercut portion to unlock said die during retraction of said plunger; and,   (f) removing said forging billet and said die from said die socket.   
     
     
       11. The method as described in claim 10 wherein said step of rotating a rolling key lock said die comprises operating a lever pivotally secured to said die socket at one end, operatively engaged to said ram at the other end, and connected to a connecting member eccentrically connected to an elongated bar including said undercut portion, during advancing said plunger to cause rotation of said connecting member and said elongated bar to said first position. 
     
     
       12. The method as described in claim 11 wherein said step of rotating said rolling key to unlock said die comprises operating said lever during retracting of said plunger to cause rotation of said connecting member and said elongated bar to said second position to dispose said undercut portion in said tangential slot of said die.